Rock Art Handbook by Samantha Sarles is an exuberant how-to DIY for turning found stones into small works of art. Due out 13th August, 2018 from Fox Chapel Publishing, it's 160 pages and available in paperbound format.
I already used 'exuberant', but it's the best descriptor for this book. The photography is lovely and full color throughout. The author writes in an easy to follow style and the book is simply packed with good tips and techniques. The introduction does a good job of showing the available tools and necessary supplies. She even describes what makes a rock easy or difficult to paint. Preparation and priming are covered in the intro chapter with more advanced techniques having the necessary additional steps included inside the individual project chapters.
The step by step tutorials are clear and easily followable with photographs and supporting text. The included techniques are broadly varied, from marbling to decoupage, painting with acrylic, puffy paint, markers, metallic pens and more. There's something for everyone. I especially love the mandalas and zentangles.
The author says something quite profound in her introduction also:
Here's the best thing about creating art on rocks: rocks are not intimidating. There's something quite different about looking at a simple, natural rock compared with staring at an overwhelming blank canvas or piece of paper.
This is just a really fun (exuberant!) colorful do-able art book. The final chapter includes rock art with (and for) kids. I really loved the story rocks. What an awesome idea!
Five stars. This book does what it aimed to do very well. Fun fun fun!
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes